N-Nitrosodimethylamine in Brazilian, U.S. Domestic, and U.S. Imported Beers

Abstract

N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) was determined in beers manufactured in Brazil and in the United States as well as in beers imported into the United States from 20 countries. Among the 166 beers analyzed, 54% contained NDMA at levels ranging from 0.05 to 0.55 μg/kg, with an overall mean level of 0.07 μg/kg. NDMA levels in Brazilian beers were investigated for the first time. The average daily intake of NDMA per person from consumption of beer was estimated to be 0.002 and 0.01 μg in Brazil and in the United States, respectively. The NDMA levels reported in this study are similar to those given in other recent reports from a number of countries. They indicate that malting and brewing industries have reduced NDMA levels in beers to a few percent of what the levels were 15 years ago. Keywords: N-Nitrosodimethylamine; NDMA; beer